This week’s GetInspired interviewee is Don Sparks, Professor of Economics at The Citadel and a long-time and very effective bicycle advocate. Read Don’s thoughts on living, working and playing in our fair city.

What do you do?
I am a professor of economics at the Citadel and a bicycle advocate.

What are you liking right now?
I really enjoy cycling over the new Cooper River Bridge, having lunch in Mt P and return. Makes for a nice lunch!

What inspires you?
Creative and dynamic friends here in Charleston.

What’s the best thing about Charleston?
See above.

What three things would you tell a friend to do/see in Charleston?
Visit Magnolia Cemetery; Take a slow bike ride around the city; do anything on the water.

How did you land here in Charleston?
Left DC in 1982 because it was getting too crowded, expensive and wanted a slower pace to raise our daughter.

If you ran the region for a day, what would you do?
Abolish all one way streets, replace most traffic lights with 4 way stops, get all utility lines underground, make King St, George St and Market area all pedestrian only, declare the port a nuclear free zone, establish clothing optional areas in Marion Square, raise taxes to pay for all this and, well that’s a start!

Finish this sentence….In 2015 Charleston will be _______?
The bicycle capital of the southeast.

From eco-friendly redevelopment with Oak Terrace Preserve to the state’s first LEED certified school, North Charleston is doing everything it can to become South Carolina’s “most sustainable city”.

If you haven’t heard about everything going on around the Noisette area in North Charleston, you’re missing out. Focused on revitalizing the grounds of the former Navy Base, Noisette and local developers have adopted civic guidelines to “put sustainable into practice.”

Author Keith West recently editorialized North Charleston’s sustainable efforts (read the article). The best part about this initiative is how several entities are actively taking steps to add to the community’s success. Area businesses and schools, City Council elected officials and local housing developers are all contributing to the ’sustainable’ movement.

North Charleston residents have reason to celebrate. But, what do you think? Is North Charleston really the most sustainable city in the state? It’s definitely inspiration for other communities to follow similar paths…

Photography by Brennan Wesley. Courtesy of Noisette Company.

I read this really cool article today about the importance of Gullah traditions, history and — probably most importantly — contributions to the Charleston community and lifestyle. From the art of sweetgrass basketmaking (which has been passed down from generation to generation) to its impact on southern cuisine with Gullah rice.

Tourists and researchers frequently visit Charleston to learn more about Gullah heritage through interactive tours. Personally, I am in awe of the beautiful iron gates that were made by blacksmith Philip Simmons, who grew up in the rice-growing culture of Daniel Island. The intricacies and shapes of his work are admired from artisans nationwide, including the likes of the Smithsonian Institute.

Now Mount Pleasant officials are taking steps to protect the town’s Gullah history by celebrating the culture through festivals and educational camps and educating members of the community — including developers — of the importance of preserving our heritage.

Read the full article in StarNewsOnline.com

This week’s GetInspired interviewee is Jenny Badman, creative writer extraordinaire and new marketing/pr manager for Patrick Properties. Read her thoughts on living, working and playing in our fair city.

What do you do?
I write, market, advertise, publicize and otherwise get people psyched about whatever my clients are passionate about. Soon, I’ll be leading the marketing and public relations charge at Patrick Properties who is building a 64-room boutique hotel on Upper King and recently acquired Lowndes Grove. On special occasions, I do a soft shoe number.

What are you liking right now?
I’m liking the weather. This is about my favorite time of year here in Charleston. I’m liking architecture. I’ve been fortunate to be interviewing some fantastic Charleston people for a project for the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. The talent and energy in this city blow me away.

What inspires you?
Good conversation. Stunning physical beauty (one of the main reasons to live here). Being outside as much as possible. A community that comes together on the important stuff, supports independent business, art, culture.

What’s the best thing about Charleston?
There is an opportunity to make your own way here: whether it’s a new business, something artistic, political, environmental. There is room here for expression.

What three things would you tell a friend to do/see in Charleston?
1. Get lost walking around the Battery.
2. Take a house tour in the spring or fall.
3. Be here for Spoleto.
4. Eat local seafood. That’s four, but they’re all important!

How did you land here in Charleston?
In January 2003, I left New Jersey during a sleet storm in my VW packed to the gills. When I arrived in Charleston, it was 68 and sunny. I was on the beach two days later and couldn’t have been happier.

If you ran the region for a day, what would you do?
Build a rail system. Create a teachers’ union. (It would need to be a long day.)

Finish this sentence….In 2015 Charleston will be_________?
More green and more fabulous.

This week’s GetInspired interview is with Tammie Hoy, the director of the Lowcountry Housing Trust. Read on to learn how Tammie’s helping to make housing a reality for residents of our region.

What do you do?
I operate the Lowcountry Housing Trust, a regional non-profit organization committed to ensuring affordable housing opportunities for all citizens in the region regardless of income. We pride ourselves on being advocates, catalysts for change and resource developers to ensure the provision of affordable housing.

What are you liking right now?
I’m liking the fact that there is buzz in the air that we need to do something about Regional planning, that growth is here, more is coming and we have to think smart about the way we plan the future of our communities.

What inspires you?
People. I am amazed at the hearts and souls and visions of people. There is no one person like the other; we all have our unique place and space and purpose. Even if we don’t know it yet. I am in awe of the dreamers and the doers and the dreamers that do, I am humbled by the people that make it happen and no one even knows it, and I am enamored by the people that do great things just because it’s the right thing to do!

What’s the best thing about Charleston?
Its diversity.

What three things would you tell a friend to do/see in Charleston?
1. Go for a bike ride through Wadmalaw Island to Rockville absorbing the beauty of the live oaks and quaint environments.
2. Kayak the ACE basin area enjoying the unique sounds of the South.
3. Get lost on a stroll through historic downtown Charleston imagining it’s the 1800s.

How did you land here in Charleston?
I was destined to be here! Or as most foreigners from the North, I came here to attend the College of Charleston and never left!

If you ran the region for a day, what would you do?
NIMBY (not in my back yard) would be eliminated and all people would understand why affordable housing is critical to the social, economic and environmental well-being of our community. (Remember I’m an Idealist)

Finish this sentence….In 2015 Charleston will be_________?
A place where anyone and everyone would want to be and could be!